MNA welcomes Ranil's statement

Muslim National Alliance (MNA) Leader Hafiz Nafeer Ahmed welcome the move by UNP leader and Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe's open invitation to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to join hands with him to take the country out of depths despair, it is found today.

Addressing propaganda rally in Kinniya on Sunday (Oct 16) the MNA leader said that Mr. Wickremesinghe had proved that he has all the credentials of the statement and it is the responsibility of the SLFP to responed favouring the invitation extended them to join the UNP leader, if they have the best interest of the people at heart, he said.

Ahmed pointed out that this move by the UNP leader was a gallant move and one in the right direction. He added the country had suffered terribly due to party rivalry and it was time the divergent forces came together - even on a short term basis - with the express wish and policy to develop the country and give its long suffering masses a hope for a better future.

Responding to a query Ahmed said that the muslims need not fear about being discriminated and under a Government that would include the two major parties because he felt that under the leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe no minority would be discriminated. "I have had a series of discussions with Ranil Wickremesinghe and I genuinely believe that he is sincere in what he says."

He emphasised that even though he was assured of victory at the forthcoming elections, Ranil Wickremesinghe had reiterated his promise to give North-East Muslims their political independence as a final solution to the ethnic conflict that has raged for the past twenty years or so wreaking havoc in the nation.

Nazeer Ahmed stressed that Ranil Wickremesinghe has promised him that the road network ruined by the war and the tsunami in Kinniya would be repaired no sooner he assumes the Presidency and that he would put into place mechanism that would kick-start the economy. He advised all Muslims to vote for Ranil Wickremesinghe and make sure of peace and prosperity.

The MNA leader pointed out that if the two major political parties came together it would ensure the isolation of chauvehistic parties sine both parties had agreed to accept a federal solution to the nation's long drawn out ethnic conflict.